Emerging technologies and applications that add genuine value are a key object of Jacques Whitford’s never ending quest to enhance client service. That’s why new the Tablet PC technology is being employed by our professionals as a way to become more efficient and consistent in our data gathering.

A hybrid mini-computer with full-size capacity, the tablet runs with Windows XP Professional Tablet Edition. Its diminutive size makes it very portable, carried like a clip board on job sites. Pen-activated for practicality, it recognizes handwriting and formats it into fonts. It can also be used with a keyboard, just like a regular computer. Several Jacques Whitford employees dedicated many hours to the development and improvement of the PC tablet’s MS Access platform to create an initial application targeted to on-site tank inspection and reporting requirements.

MS Access offers powerful database management capabilities that make organizing, accessing and sharing information an (almost) effortless undertaking. Using a predetermined menu to identify what we observe in audits, the customized software automatically generates a report for each site. Once the information is entered in the database, it can be presented to our clients according to their specific needs.

Initially, the PC tablet software was customized by Jacques Whitford employees to facilitate our client’s response to the expected revisions of the Canadian Petroleum Storage Tank Systems regulations. In order to assist in the legislative transition, Jacques Whitford coordinated a three-day training session on Enhanced Auditing Services for Petroleum Storage and Handling Systems for our employees from coast to coast. That’s when the PC tablet, tailored to meet our client’s needs, was introduced to the company at large. However, the opportunities for client advantage do not end there. Other service lines within the company are now looking into integrating the tablet technology into their fields of work.

Fortunately, for people with allegiance to pen and paper, the tablet can serve just like those faithful handheld tools: our experts can write and draw sketches that are then formatted into graphics. Not only does this reduce entry errors, it also increases consistency and reliability in our presentations. In this day and age where communications happen almost instantly, adopting the tablet technology to improve our client service seemed to be an obvious choice. As long as we have access to the internet through a cell phone, a hotel room, or an office, we can email reports immediately to our clients or back to the office for review. It can also be used with GPS technology, which may be necessary to locate remote sampling points.

Jason Surette, a Project Manager at Jacques Whitford, is a lead company trainer for the new PC tablet technology. Jason practically knows the tablet inside out since he has been testing the equipment from its earliest availability. “It’s all in a piece of equipment that’s an inch thick and 8.5” x 11”, instead of carrying binders, drawings and everything else. You have one piece of equipment that does it all,” said Jason. It practically does everything, but it won’t vaccum your house. “I tried it,” he added with a chuckle.

Tablet PCs are just one of the innovative leading-edge approaches currently being used or developed at Jacques Whitford. We take being ‘an environment of exceptional solutions’ seriously- constantly probing and exploring the most innovative ways of turning technology to client advantage.


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